Covalent Bonds, Hydrogen Bonds

Session Overview

This session will introduce the structure of biological molecules and the molecular forces involved in the formation of these molecules.

Learning Objectives

To be able to identify the forces that act in biological systems: covalent bonds, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, van der Waal’s forces, and hydrophobicity.
To understand the properties of covalent bonds as well as the concepts of biological catalysts and chirality.
To be able to distinguish between a polar and non-polar molecule and understand the concept of electronegativity.
To be able to explain how hydrogen bonds are formed and describe their importance in biological systems.

Session Activities

Lecture Video

Watch the lecture video excerpt

Covalent Bonds, Hydrogen Bonds

Check Yourself

Question 1

Which of the following type of bond or interaction joins monomers together to form biological polymers?

Covalent Bond check

Hydrophobic interactions close

Ionic bond close

van der Waals forces close

Question 2

Which of the following does not accurately describe a covalent bond?

About 10x as strong as a hydrogen bond. check

Can come in the form of a triple bond. close

Cannot be broken spontaneously in a biological system. close

Shared electrons. close

Strongest kind of bond/force in biological molecules. close

Session Activities

Help Session Video

Watch the short video of Nicole DeNisco explaining covalent bonds, chirality, electronegativity, and hydrogen bonding, that refers to the practice problem below.

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Fundamentals of Biology

Session Overview

Session Activities

Lecture Video

Check Yourself

Question 1

Question 2

Session Activities

Help Session Video

Practice Problems

Further Study

Suggested topics for further study in an introductory-level Biology textbook

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